Building Inspection

Plain-English definition. A building inspection is a pre-purchase report by a qualified inspector — usually a licensed builder or surveyor — documenting the structural condition and visible defects of a property.

How it works in Australia. Inspections are governed by Australian Standard AS 4349.1 Inspection of buildings — Pre-purchase inspections — Residential buildings. The report covers the roof exterior and interior, sub-floor space, all rooms, the site and outbuildings. It does not cover specialist items — pest, electrical compliance, asbestos testing, plumbing CCTV — without a separate engagement. NSW Fair Trading and Consumer Affairs Victoria recommend independent inspections before unconditional exchange.

Illustrative example. A buyer considering a brick veneer house in Brisbane commissions separate building and timber-pest checks before the contract becomes unconditional. The building report identifies a roof area that needs specialist review. The timber-pest report records evidence that also needs further investigation. The reports do not price the repairs or decide whether the buyer should proceed. They give the buyer and conveyancer specific items to investigate within the contract timetable.

Common confusion. Buyers often leave reports until after an auction. Auction contracts are generally unconditional, so inspection and legal checks need to happen before bidding. A vendor-supplied report may still be useful, but check who commissioned it, its scope, exclusions, date and whether you can rely on it. Read the building and pest inspection checklist before ordering a report.